Justin Verlander Is Voted the Unanimous AL Cy Young Award Winner

To no one’s surprise, Justin Verlander was unanimously voted this year’s AL Cy Young Award winner, the first time the 28-year-old Detroit Tigers’ ace has earned the honor.

Verlander, who went 24-5 in 2011, notched the rare pitchers’ Triple Crown, leading the league in victories, ERA (2.40) and strikeouts (250).

Oh, and he led in innings pitched and WHIP to top it all off. Verlander also tossed his second career no-hitter in May.

Jered Weaver and James Shields finished a distant second and third in the voting.

With such dominance in the 2011 campaign, Verlander could be poised for an MVP win, too. No starting pitcher has gotten both since 1986 when Roger Clemens took home the glory. We’ll find out on Monday.